Pest Information
Carpenter Ants
Most carpenter ants that enter the home are black and can
vary in length from 1/4 to 3/4 inch. Unlike termites, all carpenter ants
have narrow (or constricted) waists and elbowed (bent) antennae.
Carpenter ants are social insects which form large colonies. A mature carpenter
ant colony may contain up to 3,000 individuals, but usually only one queen.
Carpenter ants form nests in wood by tunneling against the grain. These
galleries are free of mud and sawdust. Coarse sawdust is present below the
entrance of an active nest.
Habit
Carpenter ants are drawn to areas with high moisture levels. Indoors they
are typically seen in bathrooms, basement/sump pump areas, laundry areas,
along sweating/leaking pipes and crawl spaces. Outdoors, they may be found
in rotting wood of tree stumps and roots, and in moist areas such as under
roof shingles, gutters, window sills, near chimneys, firewood, or in untreated
wood products on or in the soil. Nests in buildings are frequently located
in wood associated with current or old roof leaks and leaky pipes.
Damage
Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not feed on wood products but are economically
important because of the damage they cause by forming nests and because
of the foods they contaminate. Generally, the ants do not weaken a building
structurally.
Control
Non chemical: Inspect the structure and nearby grounds for nests. Once the
problem areas have been identified, areas with high moisture levels should
be ventilated or drained. Replace wood damaged by carpenter ants, other
insects, or decay organisms.
Keep firewood away from the house and off the ground. Caulk and repair cracks
and crevices in the structure. Repair leaky pipes and unclog gutters to
prevent rainwater from backing up, and repair chimney flashing.
Chemical: Upon inspection and location of the
problem areas our technician will treat the affected areas with the appropriate
chemicals necessary to eliminate the ants.
